Variety of geranium plant named ‘Fiwowit’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct geranium plant with a compact habit and white colored flowers having a star-like appearance.

Varietal denomination: ‘Fiwowit’.

Classification: Pelargonium×hortorum (zonal geranium).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geraniumknown by the varietal name ‘Fiwowit’. The new variety was discovered ina selective breeding program in Dresden, Germany. The new variety is theresult of a combination breeding of unnamed, unpatented selections fromthe breeding group 6K-80/1. The new variety exhibits the flower color ofits heritage, but differs in its compact habit and branching. The newvariety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Dresden, Germanyin 1997. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has beenfound to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to typethrough successive propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions via cuttings carried out in Dresden,Germany. The color readings were taken on plants grown in 11 cm pots ingreenhouses during summer. Plants for the description were nine-monthsold. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

Form: Upright.

Height from media surface to top of foliage: 25-28 cm.

Height from media surface to top of umbels: 30-38 cm.

Average plant diameter: Approximately 35 cm.

Growth: Erect, well branched.

Strength: Does not require artificial support.

Roots: 155D, adventive, 3.5 weeks to develop.

Time to produce a flowering plant: 3-4 months.

Leaves: Opposite arrangement; zone present.

Length.—4.5 cm.

Width.—7 cm.

Shape:

Overall: Reniform.

Base.—Cordate.

Apex.—Pointed.

Margin.—Entire with deeply incised lobes.

Texture.—Hairy.

Color.—Upper Surface: 137B with zone of 147A. Lower Surface: 137C.

Ribs and veins:

Venation.—Net-veined.

Color.—138B.

Petioles:

Color.—138B.

Length.—5-7 cm.

Stem/branches:

Color.—138B.

Overall stem length.—20-25 cm.

Internode length.—2 cm.

Lateral branch length.—20 cm.

THE BUD (Described at first stage of opening)

Shape:

Overall.—Umbel-shaped.

Individual bud.—Spindle-shaped.

Color: 155C.

Size:

Cluster.—5 cm in diameter.

Individual bud:

Length.—0.8 cm.

Width.—0.3 cm.

INFLORESCENCE

Flowering: Continuous through summer until frost.

Lastingness of an individual bloom on the plant: 3-4 weeks.

Borne: Umbel; flowers on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Umbel:

Width.—8 cm.

Depth.—4 cm.

Number of flowers per umbel.—50-55.

Flowers:

Form.—Zygomorph, single.

Size.—Diameter: 2.8-3.4 cm. Depth: 0.5 cm.

Petals.—Color: Upper Surface: 155C. Lower Surface: 155D. Size: Length:Upper: 2.0 cm. Lower: 1.6 cm. Width: Upper: 0.4 cm. Lower: 1.1 cm.Shape: Overall: Upper: Narrow/pointed. Lower: Oval-round. Apex: Upper:Pointed. Lower. Round. Base: Pointed. Margin: Upper: Serrated. Lower:Entire. Texture: Smooth.

Petaloids: Absent.

Sepals:

Shape.—Overall: Narrow, linear. Apex: Pointed. Base: Fused.

Color.—Upper Surface: 144A. Lower Surface: 144B.

Size.—Length: 0.7 cm. Width: 0.2 cm.

Pedicel:

Length.—2.5-3.0 cm.

Diameter.—2 mm.

Color.—144B.

Peduncle:

Length.—10-15 cm. Diameter: 4-5 mm. Color: 144A.

Disease/pest resistance: No susceptibility to diseases or pests noted todate.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.—3 mm long.

Filaments.—Length: 4 mm. Color: 145D.

Pollen.—26A, abundant.

Pistils:

Number.—One, five parted.

Length.—2 mm.

Stigma.—150D.

Style.—Length: 0.7 cm. Color: 150D.

Ovaries: Superior, hairy.

Length.—0.4 cm.

Color.—144 C.

Fruit: If present, maximum 5 per flower, 0.3-0.4 cm long, 165A.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. Reniform-shaped leaves.

2. Star-like flower shape.

3. Single flowering.

4. Compact growth.

5. Green zonation of foliage.

6. Tetraploid.

7. Rich Flowering.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantiallyas shown and described.